B is for Baby

Posted on March 14, 2011 by

First comes love… then comes marriage… then comes a baby in a baby carriage!! :)

So for this lil’ wedding planner, it’s a natural progression to do a few baby showers here and there as well. Which, as I hinted last week – this Monday (today), the forecast is: showers!!!

It was really exciting to do the decorations for this baby shower, especially because the couple – Michelle and Eric – were new to our church and were just starting to get to know all of us. :) A great group of us volunteered our talents… some for food, some for games, others for favors. The result was an afternoon filled with wonderful love for the new family.

The theme was jungle animals… and who wouldn’t fall in love with cute baby elephants and giraffes and hippos? To give the multitude of bright colors a common connection, we used pink (for the baby girl!) to draw a common thread.

I love finding new ways to spice up a room and add some fun decor with inexpensive materials and things you might already have around the house! So with just a bit of twine and construction paper, we have jungle animals ‘hanging out’ around the house! The tried and true brown paper bag also gets a face-lift when you roll down the top, add a few paper animals and top it for a baby shower with.. baby’s breath! :)

The mommy and daddy-to-be had special pins for the day… and brought home this beautiful diaper cake (handmade by Karen). There should be enough diapers for the newborn for a bit… there’s 100 diapers in the “cake”!

Speaking of cake… no party is complete without food, so many hands chipped in for wonderful meats, cheeses, sandwiches, sushi rolls and for the sweet tooth – treats from around the world and homemade rubber ducky cookies. Chocolate favors handmade by Sharon … you can take home a friendly hippo or an elephant :)

Congratulations Eric and Michelle! We are all so excited for you.. !

Posted in Decor, Floral, Inspiration, Weddings | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Shower is in the Forecast…

Posted on March 8, 2011 by

What do brown paper lunch bags and pink elephants have in common?

… you’ll just have to wait until next Monday to find out! :)

~ A Lil’ Wedding Planner ~

Posted in Decor, Inspiration, Wedding Planning, Weddings | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Engagements.. Weddings.. Home Depot?!

Posted on February 28, 2011 by

Are you tired of seeing the same ol’ engagement session photos at places like the beach, the park, or by downtown city lights? Don’t get me wrong – these are all beautifully gorgeous places! But recently I’ve had couples come to me asking for ideas for a unique engagement photo session for the pictures they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Here are 5 ideas for your next e-sesh… or anniversary sesh?… or trash the dress sesh… or family sesh?? ;-) Any occasion to take photos or throw a celebration is fine by me!

  1. The Library or a Bookstore - I don’t know about you, but I think of all sorts of sweet, dreamy romantic thoughts when I imagine stacks of old books and cushy library couches and a mr & mrs to-be among it all! What I love about the library is that even if you aren’t into reading, you can always find at least ONE book that describes your personality (kid’s books, anyone? sports illustrated – the hardcover? travel? self help – getting ready for the first year of marriage?). I can just imagine the photos…!
  2. Amusement Park – Seaworld, LegoLand, the Zoo or somewhere fun that’s special to you - I don’t think we ever outgrow the “kid” inside of us. That includes Shamu, dolphins, building little towns out of lego blocks, and growling at tigers. Take a fun day off with your fiancée and your photographer and head to one of your favorite amusement parks. Think what fun Legoland photos would be like, or how magical a photo of you and your honey smooching with Shamu in the background would be!
  3. Train Tracks/Train station - A friend and I were once talking that airports can be the saddest or the happiest places to be. You’re either coming home to a loved one or leaving the ones you care about. Train stations can capture that same feeling as well – with a bit more drama. Union Station in Los Angeles is rich with history. Train stations in San Diego have an ocean backdrop. A stolen kiss with the blur of the train rushing by behind you? Priceless!

    *Photo courtesy of Jihan Abdalla Photography

  4. Bowling Alley - Here’s your chance to finally make those dorky bowling shoes something cute! But seriously, colorful bowling balls… his and hers alley-ways, bowling pins, and the arcade and diner inside? That’s photo fun!!
  5. Home Depot - I know. You’re thinking, WHAT?! Home Depot? Of all the UNromantic places to be!! But hear me out.. I imagine a cute couple pushing each other around the aisles in a shopping cart … some fun with tools… a quick kiss in the model kitchens … and a little frolicking in the home garden area! It would be so utterly fun, spontaneous, sweet, and UNIQUE!

So I have to credit my husband for #5 ;-) I thought of it because every time I browse the stores in our neighborhood for pretty things like vases, baskets or random decor for a wedding, my hubby goes across the street to Home Depot. Why not combine both worlds?

Now please promise me that if you ever have a photo sesh at Home Depot, you will please email me the photos. It would make me so happy! Thank you.

Posted in Inspiration, Photography, Wedding Planning, Weddings | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Jenna + Pedro, Sunset Cliffs Ceremony

Posted on January 27, 2011 by

I know. It’s the middle of winter right now; you’re likely buried under a few feet of snow or cuddled in a blanket with a hot mug of tea in your hands.

So WHY am I torturing you with wedding photos of a summer wedding, on the cliffs… over looking the sunset on the Pacific Ocean, at the beach? Well… consider it a gift, not torture. :) A little summer and sunshine in the middle of winter for you, from this lil’ wedding planner.   …..Enjoy!

Jenna and Pedro took advantage of the glorious San Diego weather with their summer wedding on Sunset Cliffs. Over looking the Pacific Ocean until the horizon dropped from view, they shared their vows while a close family friend married them.

*Photo courtesy of Fonyat Photography

With a natural setting as gorgeous as the sunlight over the glittering ocean, you often don’t need much more decor to get a “wow” factor. I think nature “wows” us enough! Jenna chose a great color palette to complement the scene – softly colored flowers with a “vintage romantic” feel for the day.

*Photo courtesy of Fonyat Photography

The bride’s bouquet:

And who says only the bride wears a veil? Gifts to her bridesmaids, Jenna embellished their peacock-blue dresses with complementing veils in a similar style that she wore, and bracelets for each of the girls. Fashionista? YES! =D

*Photos courtesy of Fonyat Photography
*Photo courtesy of Fonyat Photography

It’s quite impossible to not be swept up in the beauty of this wedding ceremony. The setting was a little … magical .. and knowing a large majority of guests flew in from places like Spain shows the love that surrounds the newlyweds.

Congratulations Jenna and Pedro! May you two enjoy every day with each other!

Wedding Coordination: A Lil’ Wedding Planner
Thank you to the following:
Photographer: Julio Fonyat Photography
Florals: BarLiz Flowers
Ceremony Venue: Luscomb Point @ Sunset Cliffs, San Diego
Ceremony Musicians: Innocenti Strings
Pre-Marital Counseling: San Diego Institute for Couples
Wedding Transportation: Grand Pacific Charter
Rentals: Anar’s Party Supplies

Posted in Bridal Fashion, Day Of, Decor, Floral, Inspiration, Photography, Programs, Weddings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Winter Solstice !

Posted on December 20, 2010 by

It’s only 5 days away from Christmas… and tonight, get ready… is the winter solstice! (Which means if you head outside around 11:41PM PST you can see a very cool lunar eclipse outside!). So in honor of our end of the year festivities, I bring you Christmas-time decor.. and how you can incorporate that into your festive winter wedding!


Ornamental centerpieces, anyone? I love the diversity of cylinder vases and what you can do with them … ornaments in a monochromatic scheme can create an impact as a centerpiece, and if you need a little bit of light, incorporate light strands with garland in your vases as well!


I know.. I know.. some of you red and green Christmas-time color lovers are planning a rebellion against me, but have you ever thought of how beautiful the color blue is for the season? Different shades of blue paired with holiday decor still strikes that magical feel of the holidays inside. (And Happy Hanukkah to you too!)

For favors, consider an ornament. You can choose an ornament that is characteristic of you and yours, or go with something festive that everyone can enjoy hanging on their tree. In the above photo, this lil’ wedding planner lives in “sunny San Diego” and has a personal flair for stars, so why not incorporate it all… with a seashell star ornament? Unique, personal and I’m sure is going to be great on your tree. ;-)

You might also consider words of inspiration like “hope”, “love”, or “joy”. Better yet, consider giving your guests a different ornament each!

On another note, we shall end this blog post with what Christmas looks like on my fireplace. =D My friends Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and all of their friends join us in my living room for the month. But there’s always a few things you can use for your own decor:

  • Ornament Vases with beads: As I wrote above, these are great for centerpieces and all sorts of decor. Vary the size of your vases for a more dramatic effect. Use beads or garland in the same color scheme to add texture.
  • Pine cones: I loooove pine cones! Use them in fall, winter, or spring and they can add a lot of texture, sweet smells and a great look to your decor! Use them as singular pieces or clump theme together in a vase, platter, or basket for effect.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year everyone! Stay warm, cuddle with your loved ones, and sip hot cocoa while watching the twinkling lights. :)

Posted in Decor, Favors, Inspiration, Reception, Wedding Planning, Weddings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Posted on December 6, 2010 by

On the epic date of 10-2-10, my best friend got married. =D

As I had said in my speech to her that night in a definition of a best friend (from UrbanDictionary.com), “Best Friends are very special people in your life. They are the first people you think about when you make plans. They are the first people you go to when you need someone to talk to. You will phone them up just to talk about nothing, or the most important things in your life. When you’re sad they will try their hardest to cheer you up. They give the best hugs in the world! They are the shoulder to cry on, because you know that they truly care about you. And in most cases they would take a bullet for you, because it would be too painful to watch you get hurt.”

A bit ago I had blogged about her bridal shower and every day since then it was an exciting journey to see my best friend grow that-much-more-closer to marrying her husband and new best friend in her life. =D

Watching her wedding video reminds me of the love and care behind and in each and every wedding day. You wouldn’t know it from the video (which is a true testament to Deb’s beauty and videographer’s editing), but Deb wasn’t feeling too well that day which put a slight damper on the photo session and reception. But… Deb (since I know you’re reading this) – I hope when you watch your video and look at your wedding photos, you’re not thinking about what you might have missed out on, but that what you remember is the love of your friends and family who surrounded you on that special day, the grace that carried you through it, and the wonderful husband who was by your side and will continue to be by your side, through many special days in your lives!

Congratulations Deb and Joe!

And Tom & team from Aquavivus Productions – what a beautiful job you’ve done yet again! I first met Tom when he was just graduating college and launching his company and loved his creativity with wedding videos. To see his videography and work grow by endless amounts of beauty is awesome! So if you need a videographer…..

Posted in Bridal Shower, Day Of, Videography, Wedding Planning, Weddings | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I feel like Fall … on a Fireplace

Posted on November 8, 2010 by

Welcome to my home.

A year ago, if you had walked in through my front door, your gaze would surely have fallen on a very eye-stopping red brick (did I mention RED) brick fireplace. For a while, I lived with it. And then as much as I love the natural stone, I just didn’t love the red. So, without further ado, my fireplace, before and after:

You can’t quite tell in the photo above, but the new color is “weathered sandstone”, a nice neutral tan-beige-ish color. It blends well with our walls and espresso colored furniture. ;-)

With a lovely new fireplace which I enjoy looking at daily, I decided I wanted to celebrate the seasons and holidays atop where else..? but my fireplace mantle!

I took it as a personal challenge to decorate my mantle according to the Fall/Autumnal theme by using only items I had in my own house, and not buying a single thing. This sparked a bit of creativity for this very simple mantle-scape. ;-) I give  you my fall “mantle-scape”, focusing on nature’s gifts and a brown-orange-green color scheme.

Some of the things I used/re-purposed in a creative fashion would be great decor items for weddings; a centerpiece, welcome table, or other decor!

  • Pillar candles wrapped in brown kraft wrapping paper: add a little personality by hole-punching the top and bottom of the paper to create a fun border before wrapping it around the candle! Finish off the look by tying a bow with hemp/jute rope!

  • Leaves: Believe it or not, I picked these from a stem I cut from a tree in my backyard! Using the same jute/hemp string, tie on the leaves every 6 inches or so to create a homemade, natural garland. As the leaves brown, they still match the autumnal feel!
  • Use extra leaves to decorate small vases.  Incorporate natural rocks, fall-colored bamboo sticks and flowers in fall colors to tie everything together!

I love the simplicity and how it all turned out. Stay tuned… because Christmas is just around the corner! ;-)

Posted in Eco/Green Weddings, Inspiration, Weddings | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment